Free Republic

BAGHDAD: Two new helicopter crashes near Baghdad are the latest in a spate of downings that strongly suggest insurgents have adapted their tactics to make American helicopters more vulnerable and are now putting more effort toward shooting down U.S. aircraft, American officials say. Six American helicopters have crashed or been shot down in the past 19 days — including a Marine CH-46 Sea Knight transport on Wednesday, killing seven people — apparently the largest number of helicopters lost in such a short period since the invasion of Iraq. The recent rash of crashes indicates insurgents have become smarter about anticipating...

1/26/2005, 12:22 a.m. ET The Associated Press BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — A U.S. Marine helicopter crashed Wednesday in western Iraq, the U.S. military said. There was no immediate word on casualties. The helicopter went down near the town Rutbah around 1:20 a.m. while conducting security operations, the military said in a statement. The aircraft was transporting personnel from the 1st Marine Division. A search and rescue team has reached the site and an investigation into what caused the crash is underway, the military said.

FARMINGTON, Calif. -- A National Guard helicopter crashed and burst into flames Wednesday in northeast Stanislaus County. A CH-47 Chinook crashed just east of Farmington with three crew members on board, according to National Guard Lt. Col. Terry Knight. He said all of the crew are OK. Knight said that the helicopter was on a training mission out of Stockton and went down for an unknown reason. The crash also started a 5-acre brush fire that was eventually put out. The cause of the crash is now under investigation.